Union Power Cooperative Recognized for Most Innovative Use of Digital Communications by NRECA

For Immediate Release:

Atlanta, May 12, 2016

APOGEE Interactive, Inc. (www.apogee.net) a leading provider of digital engagement solutions for utilities announced today that Union Power Cooperative is the recipient of a National Rural Electric Cooperative Association Spotlight on Excellence award in the category of Most Innovative Digital Communications. The award recognizes exceptional communication and marketing practices among the nation’s energy cooperatives.

Union Power’s digital engagement strategy is powered by “My Energy Report,” Apogee’s outbound messaging platform designed to send participating members regular, personalized energy summary reports. The summary reports include energy-use analysis, customized energy saving recommendations, and information on programs relevant to that member’s usage profile. The system also collects home profile data allowing Union Power to segment and target potential candidates for rebates and program offers.

Union Power’s My Energy Report program has achieved steady engagement among members with emails reaching unprecedented open rates of 50%. In addition, each enrollment counts towards North Carolina’s Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency credits, a goal set by the State to achieve 10% by 2018.

Union Power’s cutting-edge engagement strategy is two-fold as the outbound messaging platform drives traffic to more self-help tools located on Union Power’s website www.union-power.com and its Energy Center. Features of the Energy Center include Apogee’s calculators and weather application, highlighting the flagship home energy audit that provides custom recommendations to members on how to save. Members also have access to multiple specialty calculators that drill down into energy savings specifics such as space heaters, lighting, water heating, and heat pump cost comparisons. In addition, the weather application provides the current weather and its daily impact on energy costs giving visitors reason to return to the site throughout the billing cycle.

“Union Power is excited to be honored for this prestigious award and share our success story at the NRECA Connect Conference in Portland. Our presentation will reflect three years of data collected from our digital campaign and reveal our plans moving forward as we partner with Apogee to embrace more advanced forms of digital technology like personalized video bill explanation,” said Luanne Sherron, VP Communications and Key Accounts, Union Power Cooperative.

Cindy Smallwood, Account Manager, Apogee Interactive, confirmed, “Union Power Cooperative has paved the way for utilities by proving that personalized energy reports can be the catalyst for increased customer satisfaction. In addition, they have seen increased online engagement by as much as 300%.”

Apogee Interactive is one of the nation’s leading providers of customer engagement software services for US energy utilities. Partnering with utilities since 1995, Apogee's digital engagement platform delivers proactive, personalized communication to consumers nationwide. Apogee's proven SaaS platform enables more meaningful customer engagement, proven sustainable energy results, reduced operating costs, and improved program performance for utilities. For more information, please visit www.apogee.net and follow us on Twitter at @apoweb.

About Union Power Cooperative

Union Power Cooperative is an electric distribution cooperative headquartered in Monroe, NC. The Cooperative serves more than 72,000 member accounts in Union, Stanly, Cabarrus, Mecklenburg and Rowan counties and has more than 130 employees. Incorporated in 1939, the Cooperative has over 5,800 miles of energized distribution and transmission lines, 23 substations and 3 breaker stations.